Former Broncbuster Faulk, makes NFL debut

Aug 13, 2017

By Mike Pilosof

East Rutherford, NJ-The last time Jeremy Faulk suited up in live-game action was on Dec. 3, 2016 in the NJCAA National Championship Game.

That all changed on Saturday night.

With 11:16 remaining in the fourth quarter of the New York Jets' preseason opener vs. Tennessee at MetLife Stadium, the former Broncbuster and 2015 National Defensive Player of the Year, made his NFL debut. He lined up at nose guard and used a powerful bull rush to push back Titans center Mark Spelman.

"I've had some conversations with the Jets," Garden City Head Coach Jeff Sims said. "They are very pleased with what they've seen so far."

Faulk played most of the final period, officially getting in on nine defensive snaps. With 3:42 left, he split Spelman and left guard DeAngelo Brown in route to sacking Tennessee backup quarterback Alex Tanney. It was a well-defined move by the rookie, undrafted free agent. Unfortunately, Faulk was called for an offsides penalty.

"Baby steps," said Sims, who once pulled Faulk from a game in 2015 because he kept jumping into the neutral zone too early. Faulk promptly responded by earning the nation's top defensive honor that year before helping Garden City to a national title last season.

At the 3:21 mark, Faulk helped track down Titans' rookie running back Khalfani Muhammad; although he was not officially credited with the tackle. The official stats gave it to linebacker Corey Lemonier.

On his second to last snap, Faulk had Spelman completely pushed backwards before making a swim move towards the quarterback. It appeared Spelman held Faulk pretty blatantly, but no flag was thrown.

For the night, Faulk did not record a tackle. The Jets beat the Titans 7-3.

Faulk will have another chance when New York travels to Detroit on Saturday, Aug. 19.